Semiconductor : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: Semiconductor	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for Semiconductor
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
semiconductor n a substance as germanium or silicon whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increases with temperature and in the presence of impurities Synonym(s): semiconductor, semiconducting material a conductor made with semiconducting material Synonym(s): semiconductor device, semiconductor unit, semiconductor
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
semiconductor A material, typically crystaline, which allows {current} to flow under certain circumstances. Common semiconductors are silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide. Semiconductors are used to make {diodes}, {transistors} and other basic "solid state" electronic components. As crystals of these materials are grown, they are "doped" with traces of other elements called {donors} or {acceptors} to make regions which are n- or p-type respectively for the {electron model} or p- or n-type under the {hole model}. Where n and p type regions adjoin, a junction is formed which will pass {current} in one direction (from p to n) but not the other, giving a {diode}. One {model} of semiconductor behaviour describes the doping elements as having either {free electrons} or {holes} dangling at the points in the crystal lattice where the doping elements replace one of the atoms of the foundation material. When external electrons are applied to n-type material (which already has free electrons present) the repulsive force of like charges causes the free electrons to migrate toward the junction, where they are attracted to the holes in the p-type material. Thus the junction conducts current. In contrast, when external electrons are applied to p-type material, the attraction of unlike charges causes the holes to migrate away from the junction and toward the source of external electrons. The junction thus becomes "depleted" of its charge carriers and is non-conducting. (1995-10-04)